Massage Therapy
Massage is generally considered part of complementary and integrative medicine, and studies indicate it is an effective treatment for reducing stress, pain and muscle tension. Some studies have found massage is also helpful for:
- Anxiety
- Digestive disorders
- Fibromyalgia
- Headaches and migraines
- Insomnia related to stress
- Myofascial pain syndrome
- Soft tissue strains or injuiries
- Sports injuries
- Temporomandibular joint pain
- Simple enjoyment and relaxation
Our massage therapists offer a variety of massage treatments and will be happy to recommend the modality best for you. Learn about massage types.
Jennifer Bothast, COTA/L, LMT
While raising her family, Jennifer earned an associate's degree in Occupational Therapy in 2000, then graduated with honors with a degree in Health Sciences, concentrating in Gerontology, from Florida Gulf Coast University in 2006.
In 2022, Jennifer attained a diploma in Massage Therapy from Alpha School of Massage in Jacksonville, Florida.
Always interested in expanding her understanding of human anatomy and healing modalities, Jennifer has additional training in John Barnes Myofascial Release, Upledger's Craniosacral Therapy, and Reiki.
She aims to help each of her clients to live without pain, have better movement and feel whole and healed.
Summary of massage techniques
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Swedish - a "traditional" massage using long strokes, kneading and gliding with light to firm pressure.
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Deep tissue - uses more pressure than a Swedish massage, using slow strokes and deep finger pressure to reach the deepest layers of your muscles.
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Hot stone - Instead of using just her hands, your massage therapist will also use smooth, heated stones to relax your muscles and improve blood flow. This type of massage helps ease stress and anxiety, treats chronic pain from fibromyalgia or arthritis, may help relieve symptoms of autoimmune diseases, and promotes relaxation and sleep.
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CranioSacral Therapy (CST) — is a light-touch approach that releases tensions deep in the body to relieve pain and dysfunction. It has been shown to help people with migraines and headaches, chronic neck and back pain, stress and tension-related disorders, chronic fatigue, immune disorders, chronic fatigue, learning differences (ADHD, ADD), Alzheimer's, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, Scoliosis, Fibromyalgia and many other conditions.
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Myofascial release (MFR) targets trigger points — stiff areas in the body's fascial tissue which can restrict muscle and joint movement. During the session, the therapist will use gentle pressure and tissue stretch to restore fluid flow and movement throughout the body. It may help conditions including back/neck/shoulder pain, carpal tunnel, chronic fatigue syndrome, pelvic pain, disc problems, fibromyalgia, headaches & migraines, TMJ, Myofascial Pain Syndrome, plantar fasciitis, sciatica, scoliosis, sports injuries, trauma, whiplash and many others.
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Neuromuscular Massage Therapy (NMT) - involves the application of firm, controlled pressure over painful trigger points — releasing tension and facilitating blood flow to relieve chronic back pain.
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Reiki - a technique using energy force to reduce stress and anxiety and promote healing and balance. Reiki employs a light touch and may help decrease anxiety and pain, and reduce fatigue and depression.
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Sinus massage - promotes sinus drainage by applying light pressure to certain regions of the face. Treats congestion from allergies or colds.